Editing Dallas Stars (section)

==History==

===1967–1993: Minnesota North Stars===
{{Main|Minnesota North Stars}}
The Minnesota North Stars began play in [[1967–68 NHL season|1967]] as part of the league's [[1967 NHL Expansion|six-team expansion]]. Home games were played at the newly constructed Metropolitan Sports Center ("[[Met Center]]") in [[Bloomington, Minnesota]]. Initially successful both on the ice and at the gate, the North Stars fell victim to financial problems after several poor seasons in the mid-1970s.

[[File:Minnesota North Stars Logo 1991-1993.svg|thumb|left|The logo of the [[Minnesota North Stars]] from 1991 to 1993. When the team moved to Dallas in 1993, it used a similar logo, usually with the word "DALLAS" above "STARS," until 2013.]]
In [[1978–79 NHL season|1978]], the North Stars merged with the [[Cleveland Barons (NHL)|Cleveland Barons]] (formerly the [[California Golden Seals]]), owned by [[George Gund III|George III]] and [[Gordon Gund]]. With both teams on the verge of folding, the league permitted the two failing franchises to merge. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars, while the Seals/Barons franchise records were retired. However, the Gunds were the merged team's principal owners, and the North Stars assumed the Barons' place in the [[Adams Division]] in order to balance out the divisions. The merger brought with it a number of talented players, and the North Stars were revived—they reached the [[Stanley Cup]] Finals in [[1980–81 NHL season|1981]], where they lost in five games to the [[New York Islanders]]. However, by the early 1990s, declining attendance and the inability to secure a new downtown revenue-generating arena led ownership to request permission to move the team to the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] in 1990. The league rejected the request and instead agreed to award an [[expansion team|expansion franchise]], the [[San Jose Sharks]], to the Gund brothers. The North Stars were sold to a group of investors that were originally looking to place a team in San Jose, although one of the group's members, former [[Calgary Flames]] part-owner [[Norman Green]], would eventually gain control of the team.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cameron|first=Steve|title=Feeding Frenzy! The Wild New World of the San Jose Sharks|pages=29–38|year=1994|publisher=Taylor Publishing Co.}}</ref> In the following season, the North Stars made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].

After the 1990–91 season, the North Stars suffered through declining profits coupled with distraction and uncertainty caused by relocation attempts. The team's fortunes were further impeded by the terms of the settlement with the Gund brothers, in which they were permitted to take a number of North Stars players to San Jose. In their final two seasons in Minnesota, the team adopted a new logo which omitted any reference to the word "North" from "North Stars", leading many fans to anticipate the team heading south.<ref name="dmagazine1">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2010/January/The_35_Biggest_Moments_in_Modern_Dallas_History_11.aspx |title=The 35 Biggest Moments in Modern Dallas History |publisher=Dmagazine.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520003803/http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2010/January/The_35_Biggest_Moments_in_Modern_Dallas_History_11.aspx |archive-date=May 20, 2011}}</ref> Green explored the possibility of moving the team to [[Anaheim]] to play at a new arena (which is now the [[Honda Center]]) under construction,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dillman |first1=Lisa |last2=Stephens |first2=Eric |last3=Cooper |first3=Josh |title=How the Mighty Ducks took flight, an oral history |url=https://theathletic.com/567599/2018/10/05/how-the-mighty-ducks-took-flight-an-oral-history/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502004246/https://theathletic.com/567599/2018/10/05/how-the-mighty-ducks-took-flight-an-oral-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and intended to call the team the Los Angeles Stars. However, in 1992 the league decided to award an expansion franchise to [[The Walt Disney Company]] to play in Anaheim's new arena; this franchise eventually became the [[Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]].

===1993–1998: Relocation and early years in Dallas===
[[File:Reunion Arena.jpg|thumb|[[Reunion Arena]] was the first home for the Stars in Dallas. The arena was the Stars' home from 1993 to 2001.]]
In 1993, amid further attendance woes and bitter personal controversy, Green obtained permission from the league to move the team to Dallas, for the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 season]], with the decision announced on March 10, 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/patrick-plus-thanks-norm-green/265064341/|title=Patrick Plus: Thanks, Norm Green|website=Star Tribune|access-date=April 14, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419133210/http://www.startribune.com/patrick-plus-thanks-norm-green/265064341/|url-status=live}}</ref> Green was convinced by former [[Dallas Cowboys]] quarterback [[Roger Staubach]] that Dallas would be a suitable market for an NHL team.<ref name="dmagazine1"/> With the team's move to the [[Southern United States]], Green decided to drop the "North" adjective but otherwise retained the "Stars" nickname, which in its shortened form quickly proved popular as it matched the state of Texas' official nickname as "The Lone Star State." An NHL franchise in Dallas was an experiment for the league, as at that time the Stars would be one of the three southernmost teams in the league along with two recently created expansion teams in the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] and [[Florida Panthers]] as the league's first real ventures into southern non-traditional hockey markets. The Stars would move into [[Reunion Arena]], built in 1980, the downtown arena already occupied by the [[National Basketball Association]]'s [[Dallas Mavericks]].

To quell the ensuing controversy surrounding the North Stars move to Dallas, the NHL promised that the Twin Cities would receive an expansion franchise in the near future; that promise was fulfilled in 2000 in the form of the [[Minnesota Wild]].

With the league changing the names of the conferences and divisions that season, the newly relocated Stars were placed in the [[Central Division (NHL)|Central Division]] of the [[Western Conference (NHL)|Western Conference]], although these were essentially continuations of the [[Norris Division]] and [[Campbell Conference]] respectively, both of which the North Stars had been part of. The first NHL game in Dallas was played on October 5, 1993, and was a 6–4 win against the [[Detroit Red Wings]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24296620/dallas-stars-first-game-october-5-1993/ | title=Dallas Stars First Game October 5, 1993 Broten Goal | newspaper=St. Cloud Times | date=October 6, 1993 | page=19 | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827222659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24296620/dallas-stars-first-game-october-5-1993/ | url-status=live}}</ref> Somewhat ironically, Minnesota native [[Neal Broten]] scored the first Stars goal in Dallas. Though the Stars were relatively still low on the Dallas-Fort Worth sports pecking order upon their arrival, popularity of the team grew rapidly and the immediate success of the team on the ice, as well as [[Mike Modano]]'s career-best season (50 goals, 93 points) helped spur the team's popularity in North Texas. The Stars set franchise bests in wins (42) and points (97) in their first season in Dallas, qualifying for the [[1994 Stanley Cup playoffs|1994 playoffs]]. The Stars further shocked the hockey world by sweeping the [[St. Louis Blues]] in the first round, but lost to the eventual Western Conference Champion [[Vancouver Canucks]] in the second round. The Stars' success in their first season along with Modano's spectacular on-ice performances, would be an integral part of the Stars' eventual franchise success in the immediate years to come.

The almost immediate success of the Stars was also helped by the long legacy of minor-league hockey in the area. Both incarnations of the [[Central Hockey League]] had two teams in the area, the [[Dallas Black Hawks]] and the [[Fort Worth Texans]] for years before the Stars' arrival. Amateur and youth hockey in North Texas were also extremely popular because of the long presence of the minor league teams.

====1994–1998: Arrival of Tom Hicks and building for a championship====
The 1994–95 season was shortened by an [[1994–95 NHL lockout|owners' lockout]]. The Stars traded captain [[Mark Tinordi]] along with [[Rick Mrozik]] to the [[Washington Capitals]] before the season began for [[Kevin Hatcher]]. Longtime North Stars hold-over [[Neal Broten]] was named his replacement, although he was traded too after only 17 games to the [[New Jersey Devils]]. Broten was replaced by Kevin's younger brother [[Derian Hatcher]] as team captain, a role he would serve in for the next decade. The Stars played only 48 games that season posting a record of 17–23–8. Despite the shortened season and the losing record, the Stars again made the playoffs, losing in five games to the Red Wings in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DAL/ |title=Dallas Stars Franchise Index |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519181732/http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DAL/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Green, who had run into financial problems stemming from his business ventures outside of ice hockey, was forced to sell the team to businessman [[Tom Hicks]] in December 1995.<ref name="dmagazine1"/>

[[File:Sergei Zubov.jpg|thumb|left|The Stars made several moves to revamp the roster in the 1996 off-season, notably making a trade to acquire [[Sergei Zubov]]. He remained on the team until he left the league in 2009.]] 
The [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]] would be the first season under new owner Tom Hicks. In the off-season, the Stars traded for former [[Montreal Canadiens]]' captain and three-time [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]] winner [[Guy Carbonneau]], who was then with the St. Louis Blues. With the Stars struggling to begin the season, general manager and head coach [[Bob Gainey]] traded for center [[Joe Nieuwendyk]] from the [[Calgary Flames]] in exchange for [[Corey Millen]] and [[Jarome Iginla]], then a Stars prospect. The Stars recorded only 11 wins in the first half of the season, and Bob Gainey relinquished his coaching duties in January to be the full-time general manager of the team. The Stars soon hired [[Michigan K-Wings]] head coach [[Ken Hitchcock]] to replace him; it would be his first NHL head coaching position. The Stars then traded for [[Benoît Hogue|Benoit Hogue]] from the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] late in the season, but ultimately finished in sixth place in the Central Division, missing the playoffs for the first time since moving to Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DAL |title=Dallas Stars Franchise Index |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915070607/http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DAL/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1996 off-season, the Stars continued to revamp their roster, adding defensemen [[Darryl Sydor]] from the [[Los Angeles Kings]] followed by [[Sergei Zubov]] from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Kevin Hatcher. Zubov would serve as the Stars' top defenseman and powerplay quarterback until leaving the league in 2009. On the ice, Ken Hitchcock's first season proved to be a good one. The Stars bested their 1994 totals, posting 48 wins and reaching the 100-point mark for the first time in franchise history. The Stars won the [[Central Division (NHL)|Central Division]], their first division title since 1983–84 (when they were still the Minnesota North Stars) and were seeded second in the [[1997 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997.html |title=1996–97 NHL Season Summary |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020200557/http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the regular season success, the youthful Stars were upset in the first round by the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in seven games. Defenseman [[Grant Ledyard]] tripped in overtime of game 7, allowing [[Todd Marchant]] to score the game- and series-winning goal on a breakaway against goaltender [[Andy Moog]].

During the 1997 off-season, the Stars signed star goaltender [[Ed Belfour]] as a free agent after a well-publicized falling-out with the San Jose Sharks, which had traded a number of players to the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] to obtain him in January in the previous season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/belfour.html |title=Ed Belfour |publisher=Hockeygoalies.org |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903101152/http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/belfour.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Andy Moog was allowed to leave via free agency, but later returned to the Stars as an assistant coach. The [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]] was another banner year for the Stars. The Stars again set franchise records in wins (49) and points (109). Dallas acquired [[Mike Keane]] at the deadline from the [[New York Rangers]]. The Stars won the franchise's first [[Presidents' Trophy]] as the league's best regular season team, as well as the Central Division title for the second season in a row. Belfour set franchise season records for [[goals against average]] (1.88), wins (37) and just missed out on the [[Jennings Trophy]] by one goal to [[Martin Brodeur]] of the [[New Jersey Devils]]. The Stars were the first overall seed for the [[1998 Stanley Cup playoffs]] and defeated the eighth-seeded San Jose Sharks in six games in the first round. Notorious enforcer [[Bryan Marchment]] injured Joe Nieuwendyk's right knee, forcing him to miss the rest of the playoffs with torn ligaments. In the second round, they again met the Edmonton Oilers, this time defeating them in five games. However, without Nieuwendyk, the Stars lacked the firepower to overcome the defending [[Stanley Cup]] champion Detroit Red Wings in the conference finals and lost in six games. The Red Wings went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.

===1998–2004: Stanley Cup contention and 1999 Stanley Cup championship===

====1999 Stanley Cup title and 2000 Stanley Cup Finals run====
{{See also|1999 Stanley Cup Finals}}
In the 1998 off-season, after falling just short in the conference finals, the Stars added what they believed was the final piece toward winning a championship: star goalscoring winger [[Brett Hull]]. Hull had already had a successful career with the St. Louis Blues, with three consecutive 70-goal seasons and a [[Hart Memorial Trophy]], but a fallout with Blues management led Hull to leave St. Louis via free agency.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stlouisblueslegends.blogspot.com/2007/01/brett-hull.html |title=St. Louis Blues Legends: Brett Hull |publisher=Stlouisblueslegends.blogspot.com |date=January 9, 2011 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828025212/http://stlouisblueslegends.blogspot.com/2007/01/brett-hull.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, this was the first season for the Stars in the [[Pacific Division (NHL)|Pacific Division]] after the 1998 NHL division re-alignment.

In the 1998–99 season, the Stars won 51 games, surpassing the 50-win mark for the first time in franchise history. They also recorded 114 points, which still stands today as a franchise record. They won their first Pacific Division by 24 points (their third consecutive division title), a second consecutive Presidents' Trophy, the [[William M. Jennings Trophy|Jennings Trophy]] as the league's top defensive team, and were awarded home-ice advantage throughout the [[1999 Stanley Cup playoffs|1999 playoffs]]. Winger [[Jere Lehtinen]] was also awarded the [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1999.html |title=1998–99 NHL Season Summary |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503210148/https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1999.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Joe Nieuwendyk Dallas.jpg|thumb|[[Joe Nieuwendyk]] helped the Stars win their first [[Stanley Cup]] in 1999. Nieuwendyk was awarded the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] for that year's playoffs.]]
In the first round of the playoffs, Dallas faced the Edmonton Oilers. The Stars swept the Oilers in four close games, winning game 4 in the third overtime on a goal by Joe Nieuwendyk. They then faced the St. Louis Blues in the second round. After taking a 2–0 series lead, the Blues came back to tie the series. The Stars then won the next two games to beat the Blues in six games. The series again ended on an overtime goal, this time in game 6 from Mike Modano. In the conference finals, they faced the [[Colorado Avalanche]] for the first time in Stars playoff history. This would be the first of four playoff meetings between the Stars and Avalanche in the next seven years. After both the Stars and the Avalanche split the first four games at a 2–2 series tie, the Avalanche won game 5 by a score of 7–5, taking a 3–2 series lead, The Stars rallied winning game six on the road, and game 7 at home, both by 4–1 scorelines.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/NHL_1999.html |title=1999 NHL Playoffs Summary |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=August 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807171253/http://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/NHL_1999.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

This was the Stars' first [[List of Stanley Cup champions|Stanley Cup Finals]] appearance as the Dallas Stars, although they made the finals twice as the Minnesota North Stars. They faced the Eastern Conference champion [[Buffalo Sabres]], who had defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4–1 in the conference finals. After splitting the first four games, the Stars vaunted defense would hold the Sabres to only one goal in the next two, winning game 5 2–0 and game 6 2–1 on a triple-overtime goal by Brett Hull. Hull's goal at 14:51 of the third overtime was allowed to stand only after a lengthy official review. That season, the league still had the "crease rule" in effect, which provided that if any player of the attacking team who did not have possession of the puck entered the crease before the puck, then any resulting goal was disallowed. Hull had initially gained possession of the puck outside the crease and had made a shot that was blocked by Buffalo goaltender [[Dominik Hašek|Dominik Hasek]]. One of Hull's skates entered the crease as he corralled the rebound, and Hull's second shot scored the Cup-winning goal. The goal was eventually allowed, as having simply blocked Hull's shot rather than catching it, Hasek never took possession of the puck away from Hull. Officials therefore determined that rather than calling it a loose puck, Hull would be considered to have had continuous possession of the puck from before his first shot outside the crease. The complexity of the crease rule, and the attendant difficulties in understanding its application by fans and players alike, combined with the controversy arising out of the disputed Stanley Cup-winning goal, resulted in the crease rule being repealed the following season. Hull's goal marked the 13th time a Stanley Cup-winning goal was scored in overtime, and only the fourth to be scored in multiple overtimes. This was the only time between [[1995 Stanley Cup Finals|1995]] and [[2003 Stanley Cup Finals|2003]] that a team other than the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche or Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup.

The team added veterans [[Kirk Muller]], [[Dave Manson]] and [[Sylvain Côté|Sylvain Cote]] in an effort to defend their Stanley Cup championship in [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000]]. On December 31, 1999, Brett Hull scored his 600 and 601st career goals in a 5–4 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Stars ultimately won the Pacific Division for the second year in a row, and were seeded second in the Western Conference. Dallas then defeated the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks in the first and second rounds, both 4–1 series victories. The Stars, for the second season in a row, defeated the Colorado Avalanche in the conference finals in seven games to reach their second consecutive [[2000 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], where they met the [[New Jersey Devils]]. Because the Devils finished the regular season with one more point than Dallas, the Stars had to play their first playoff series without home-ice advantage since 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2000.html |title=1999-00 NHL Season Summary |publisher=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914202910/http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2000.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The Stars lost all three games at the Reunion Arena in the Finals, and lost the series in game 6 on a double-overtime goal by New Jersey forward [[Jason Arnott]].

====2001–2004: Continued playoff contention====
Hoping to win back the Stanley Cup, the Stars again captured the Pacific Division, posting a solid 48–24–8–2 record in the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]]. In the playoffs, the Stars and the Edmonton Oilers met in the first round, battling back-and-forth through the first four games, with each game decided by one goal, including three going into overtime. Game 5 would also go to overtime, as the Stars took a 3–2 series lead on a goal by Kirk Muller. However, in game 6 in [[Edmonton]], the Stars did not need overtime, advancing to the second round with a 3–1 win. Facing the St. Louis Blues, the Stars would run out of gas, being swept in four straight games. The game 2 loss would be the last NHL game played in Reunion Arena.

[[File:MartyTurco.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Marty Turco]] was awarded the starting goaltender position in the 2002–03 season, with the departure of [[Ed Belfour]] to free agency.]]
Moving into the brand new [[American Airlines Center]] for the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]], the Stars had a slow start to the season, as goaltender Ed Belfour struggled through one of his worst seasons. Head coach Ken Hitchcock was eventually fired, being replaced by [[Rick Wilson (ice hockey)|Rick Wilson]]. Despite the coaching change, the Stars continued to play poor hockey. With the prospect of missing the playoffs, the Stars traded 1999 Conn Smythe winner Joe Nieuwendyk and [[Jamie Langenbrunner]] to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for [[Randy McKay]] and Jason Arnott, who scored the game-winning goal in the 2000 Finals against Dallas. The Stars would eventually go on to post a respectable record of 35–28–13–5. However, it would not be enough for the playoffs, as they fell four points short of the final eighth spot in the Western Conference. Following the season, coach Rick Wilson would return to assistant coaching duties, as the Stars brought in [[Dave Tippett]] as his replacement.

As in the 2002 off-season, Ed Belfour left via free agency to the Toronto Maple Leafs. To begin the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]], the Stars awarded the starting goaltending position to [[Marty Turco]], who went on to have one of the best seasons in NHL history, posting the lowest goals-against average (GAA) since 1940, at 1.76. However, missing 18 games late in the season likely cost him a shot at the [[Vezina Trophy]], awarded to the league's top regular season goaltender. Regardless, the Stars posted the best record in the Western Conference at 46–17–15–4, and along the way, two-way star Jere Lehtinen won his third Frank J. Selke Trophy. In the [[2003 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], the Stars once again met the Edmonton Oilers, and once again the Oilers would prove a contentious opponent, winning two of the first three games. However, the Stars would prove the better team again by winning the next three games to take the series in six games. The Stars' second-round series against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim got off to an unbelievable start, as the game went deep into overtime tied 3–3. However, Mighty Ducks goaltender [[Jean-Sébastien Giguère|Jean-Sebastien Giguere]] stopped 60 shots as the Ducks scored early in the fifth overtime. Game 2 would be more of the same, as the Ducks stunned the Stars in overtime. Desperately needing a win, the Stars bounced back to take game 3 in Anaheim. However, the Ducks would take a 3–1 series lead by breaking a scoreless tie late in the third period of game 4. In game 5, the Stars finally solved Giguere by scoring four goals to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, the Stars' dreams of a return trip to the Stanley Cup Finals would end in heartbreaking fashion as the Ducks broke a 3–3 tie with 1:06 left in game 6 on a goal by defenseman [[Sandis Ozoliņš|Sandis Ozolinsh]].

Coming off their disappointing playoff loss, the Stars would get off to a shaky start to the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], as they played mediocre hockey through the first three months of the season, posting a sub-.500 record. However, as the calendar turned to 2004, the Stars began to find their game, as they posted a 9–4–3 record in January. As the season wore on, the Stars would get stronger, climbing up the playoff ladder and eventually reaching second place in the Pacific Division, where they finished with a solid 41–26–13–2 record; Marty Turco had another outstanding season, recording a 1.98 GAA. However, the Stars could not carry their momentum into the playoffs, as they were beaten by the Colorado Avalanche in five games in the first round.

===2005–2011: Early years of the post-lockout era===

====2005–2008: Return from lockout, 2008 Western Conference finals run====
Coming out of the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|owners' lockout]] that cancelled the entire [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]], the Stars remained one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference for the start of [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]], as they won four of their first five games on the way to a solid October. November would be even better for Dallas, as they won 10 of 13 games and took over first place in the Pacific Division, a position they would hold most of the season, as they went on to finish with a terrific record of 53–23–6. One reason for the Stars' success was their strong play in shootouts, as forward [[Jussi Jokinen]] was nearly automatic, making 10-of-13 shot attempts. Also performing strongly in shootouts was Sergei Zubov, who used a slow-but-steady backhand to go 7-for-12, as the Stars ultimately won 12 of 13 games that were settled by a shootout. As the number two seed in the Western Conference, the Stars faced the seventh-seeded Colorado Avalanche. The Stars were favorited to win the Western Conference, and some even predicted them to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Stars would stumble right from the start, losing game 1 by a score of 5–2 as the Avalanche scored five unanswered goals after the Stars jumped out to a promising 2–0 lead. Game 2 would see the Stars suffer another setback at home, as the Stars lost in overtime 5–4 on a goal by [[Joe Sakic]]. On the road in game 3, the Stars led 3–2 in the final minute before the Avalanche forced overtime on a goal by [[Andrew Brunette]], while [[Alex Tanguay]] won the game just 69 seconds into overtime to put the Stars in a 3–0 hole. The Stars would avoid the sweep with a 4–1 win in game 4, but overtime would doom them again in game 5, as Andrew Brunette scored the series winner at 6:05, ending the Stars' playoffs hopes after just five games.

Following the previous season's disappointing first-round playoff loss at the hands of the seventh-seeded Avalanche, the Stars made a number of changes during the 2006 off-season. Former Stars goalkeeper Andy Moog was promoted to assistant general manager for player development (he kept his job as goaltending coach) and former player [[Ulf Dahlén|Ulf Dahlen]] was hired as an assistant coach. The Stars allowed center Jason Arnott, defenseman [[Willie Mitchell (ice hockey)|Willie Mitchell]] and goaltender [[Johan Hedberg]] to leave as [[free agents]]. Forward [[Niko Kapanen]] was traded to the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] and the remaining two years on fan-favorite [[winger (ice hockey)|right winger]] [[Bill Guerin]]'s contract were bought out. The Stars also received [[Patrik Štefan|Patrik Stefan]] and [[Jaroslav Modrý|Jaroslav Modry]] in the Atlanta trade, and signed [[Eric Lindros]], [[Jeff Halpern]], [[Matthew Barnaby]] and [[Darryl Sydor]] as free agents. Young goaltender [[Mike Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)|Mike Smith]] was promoted to the NHL to serve as Marty Turco's backup. During the season, key future pieces – center [[Mike Ribeiro]] and defenseman [[Mattias Norström|Mattias Norstrom]] – were added through separate trades. Young players [[Joel Lundqvist]], [[Krys Barch]], [[Nicklas Grossmann]] and [[Chris Conner]] all saw significant ice time while other players were out of the lineup with injuries.

[[File:Modano Record Goal.jpg|thumb|[[Mike Modano]] scoring his 500th goal on November 7, 2007, against the [[San Jose Sharks]]. He was the second American-born player to reach the milestone.]]
On September 29, 2006, [[Brenden Morrow]] was announced as new team captain, taking the role over from Mike Modano, who had served as the incumbent since 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2607771 |title=Morrow replaces Modano as Stars captain – NHL |publisher=ESPN |date=September 29, 2006 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203743/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2607771 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 13, 2007, Modano scored his 500th career NHL goal, making him only the 39th player and second American to ever reach the milestone. On March 17, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd NHL goals, breaking the record for an American-born player, previously held by [[Joe Mullen]].

On January 24, 2007, the [[2007 National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]] was held at [[American Airlines Center]]. Defenseman [[Philippe Boucher]] and goaltender Marty Turco would represent the Stars as part of the Western Conference All-Star roster. The Stars qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference and squared off against the Vancouver Canucks in the first round. Marty Turco delivered three shutout wins in games 2, 5 and 6, but the Stars' offense failed to capitalize and they lost the series in seven games, the third season in a row that they lost in the first round.

In the [[2007 NHL entry draft]], the Stars drafted the relatively unknown [[Jamie Benn]] 129th overall. After starting a lackluster 7–7–3 in the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], general manager [[Doug Armstrong]] was fired by the team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3108257 |title=Armstrong fired after 7–7–3 start; Hull, Jackson named interim GMs – NHL |publisher=ESPN |date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203753/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3108257 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by an unusual "co-general manager" arrangement of former assistant GM [[Les Jackson (ice hockey)|Les Jackson]] and former Stars player Brett Hull. On November 8, 2007, Mike Modano became the top American born point scorer of all time, finishing off a shorthanded breakaway opportunity on San Jose Sharks goaltender [[Evgeni Nabokov]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-nov-08-sp-nhl8-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Modano sets scoring mark in Dallas' victory | date=November 8, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2010 | archive-date=February 12, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212004126/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/08/sports/sp-nhl8 | url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 26, 2008, just hours before the trade deadline, the Stars traded for All-Star center [[Brad Richards]] from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for backup goaltender Mike Smith and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3265543 |title=Richards gets new start, goes to Dallas in 5-player deal – NHL |publisher=ESPN |date=February 27, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203759/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3265543 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Stars rallied to a final record of 45–30–7 and qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed, matching up with the defending Stanley Cup champion, the Anaheim Ducks, in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/standings/_/year/2008 |title=2007–08 NHL Preseason Conference Standings – National Hockey League |publisher=ESPN |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928140922/http://espn.go.com/nhl/standings/_/year/2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> After a rough end to the season, only winning two games in March of that year, the Stars shocked everyone by winning the first two games of the series in Anaheim, and then would go on to finish off the Ducks in six games, their first playoff series win since 2003. In the second round, the Stars matched up with the Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks. Once again, the Stars surprised everyone by winning the first two games of the series on the road. In game 2, Brad Richards tied an NHL record by recording four points in the third period.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=30 |title=Playoff Records – Individual |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910221655/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=30 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Stars would then take a 3–0 series lead after a Mattias Norstrom overtime goal in game 3. After the Sharks staved off elimination with back to back wins in games 4 and 5, captain Brenden Morrow finished the Sharks off in game 6 with a powerplay goal nearly halfway into the fourth overtime, a moment nicknamed "Cinco De Morrow" by Stars fans as game 6 ended in the early morning hours of the [[Cinco De Mayo]] holiday on May 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280504009 |title=San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars – Recap – May 04, 2008 |publisher=ESPN |date=May 4, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203816/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280504009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The win sent the Stars to their first conference finals since 2000, where they met the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings. After falling behind in the series 3–0, the Stars made a series of it winning games 4 and 5 before ultimately being ousted by the Red Wings in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280519009 |title=Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars – Recap – May 19, 2008 |publisher=ESPN |date=May 19, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203824/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280519009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2008–2011: Team difficulties and transition seasons====
[[File:Brad Richards 2008.jpg|thumb|left|[[Brad Richards]] shoots the puck in pregame warm-up during the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]]. Injuries to Richards and other teammates during the course of the 2008–09 season led the Stars to miss their first playoffs since 2002.]]
The [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] saw the early loss for the season of captain [[Brenden Morrow]] to an ACL tear. Off-season free agent acquisition [[Sean Avery]] caused a media uproar over comments he made to a Canadian reporter about ex-girlfriend [[Elisha Cuthbert]] and her relationship with [[Calgary Flames]]' defenseman [[Dion Phaneuf]] before a game in [[Calgary]]. The incident forced the team to suspend Avery for the season; he was later waived by the Stars. That incident, plus injuries to key players Brad Richards and Sergei Zubov, caused the Stars to tailspin to a 12th-place finish and the first missed playoffs for Dallas since 2002.

In the wake of the season, the Stars hired a new general manager, former player and alternate captain [[Joe Nieuwendyk]]. Hull and Jackson remained with the Stars, but were reassigned to new roles within the organization. Less than a week after he was hired, Nieuwendyk fired six-season head coach Dave Tippett on June 10, 2009, and hired [[Marc Crawford]] the next day as his replacement. Other off-season moves included the addition of [[Charlie Huddy]] as assistant coach in charge of defense and the promotions of [[Stu Barnes]] and Andy Moog to assistant coaches. The Stars' [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]] was similar to the previous one. Inconsistent play and defensive struggles plagued the team throughout the season, as they failed to adjust to Marc Crawford's new offensively-minded system, and owner Tom Hicks' financial troubles prevented the team from spending more than $45&nbsp;million on payroll, over $11&nbsp;million beneath the league salary cap.<ref>{{cite web|title=President: Stars will stay in Dallas, but budget tight|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/020910dnspostarshicks.327a05b.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212111804/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/020910dnspostarshicks.327a05b.html|url-status=dead|date=February 12, 2010 |archive-date=February 12, 2010}}</ref> The Stars failed to win more than three games in a row all season, finished in last in the Pacific Division and repeated their 12th place conference finish from the year before with a record of 37–31–14 for 88 points, seven points back from the last playoff spot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/standings |title=2011–12 NHL Preseason Conference Standings – National Hockey League |publisher=ESPN |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425084241/http://espn.go.com/nhl/standings |url-status=live}}</ref> This was the first time that they would miss the playoffs two seasons in a row since the Stars moved to Texas.

[[File:Kari Lehtonen Dallas Stars Versus Chicago Blackhawks warmup.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kari Lehtonen]] in March 2011, towards the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]]. He was named the team's number one goaltender in the 2010 off-season after longtime goaltender Marty Turco left the club in free agency.]]
In the 2010 off-season, long-time goaltender [[Marty Turco]] was let go in favor of [[Kari Lehtonen]] to become the team's number one goaltender for the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/13/1419020/marty-turco |title=Marty Turco Will Not Be Re-Signed By Dallas Stars; Will Become A Free Agent |publisher=SBNation.com |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104084451/http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/13/1419020/marty-turco |url-status=live}}</ref> In the Star's last game of the season, away against the Minnesota Wild, Mike Modano was named the game's first star and skated around the rink after the game wearing his North Stars uniform, receiving a rousing ovation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300410030 |title=Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild – Recap – April 10, 2010 |publisher=ESPN |date=April 10, 2010 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=August 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818050929/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300410030 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Stars also let [[Mike Modano]] walk in free agency, the face of the franchise for the past two decades. Modano subsequently signed with his hometown team, the [[Detroit Red Wings]] while Turco joined the newly defending Stanley Cup champion [[Chicago Blackhawks]]. Winger Jere Lehtinen, who played his entire career with the Stars, announced his retirement. The team also made key acquisitions both in trades or in free agency, such as winger [[Adam Burish]] (who was on the 2010 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks) and goaltender [[Andrew Raycroft]]. They also gave [[Jonathan Cheechoo]] a try-out, but he was cut and later signed with division rivals San Jose Sharks. To begin the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]], the Stars won their first three games in a row, going on a three-game win streak for the first time since the 2008–09 season by beating the [[New Jersey Devils]] 4–3 in overtime in the season opener on October 8, 2010, [[New York Islanders]] 5–4 in a shootout on October 9, and against the Red Wings in the Stars' home opener on October 14, respectively. The home opener against the Red Wings featured an emotional return for Mike Modano, as the Stars crowd gave Modano a standing ovation as he was shown on the American Airlines Center jumbotron during a timeout in the game. After a hot start to the season, the Stars would continue to dominate within the first 50 games of the season, staying in both the Pacific Division lead and within the top three spots of the Western Conference. Through the first 50 games of the season up until the All-Star Break, they compiled a 30–15–5 record. However, after the All-Star Break the Stars went into a slump, going on numerous losing streaks which included one-goal losses and blowing late leads in numerous games. Through this though, the Stars still remained in the playoff picture. On the day of the trade deadline (February 28, 2011), the Stars traded up and comer [[James Neal (ice hockey)|James Neal]] and [[Matt Niskanen]] to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman [[Alex Goligoski]]. Despite these late-season struggles, the Stars still had a chance to make the playoffs by winning their season finale on April 10, as they lost on the road at the [[Minnesota Wild]] 5–3 and a 42–29–11 record, costing them the last [[2011 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoff]] spot despite the winning record and a vastly improved season overall compared to the previous two seasons, finishing 9th in the Western Conference only two points behind the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks for the eighth and final playoff spot. After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, Dallas fired coach Marc Crawford after just one season with the club on April 12.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nhl/news/story?id=6338807 | title=Stars fire coach Crawford after missing playoffs | date=April 12, 2011 | access-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-date=January 30, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130102010/http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nhl/news/story?id=6338807 | url-status=live}}</ref>

===2011–present: Arrival of Tom Gaglardi and "Victory Green" era===
====2011–2013: Continued team struggles====
To start the 2011 off-season, according to [[Darren Dreger]] of [[The Sports Network|TSN]], the team had been "financially managed" by the league for over a year. On June 16, 2011, Dallas hired [[Glen Gulutzan]] to be head coach, making him the sixth coach since the franchise's move from Minnesota.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=565921 | title=AP Source: Stars to hire Gulutzan as coach | access-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824153107/https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=565921 | url-status=live}}</ref> On September 13, 2011, lenders voted to agree to have the Stars file for bankruptcy and sold at auction.<ref name="gagl4">{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/report-stars-bankruptcy-filing-will-lead-to-auction/c-588402 | title=Report: Stars bankruptcy filing will lead to auction | access-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827222659/https://www.nhl.com/news/report-stars-bankruptcy-filing-will-lead-to-auction/c-588402 | url-status=live}}</ref> On September 21, 2011, Mike Modano announced his retirement from the league. By October 22, 2011, competing bids to buy the club were due. [[Vancouver]] businessman and [[Kamloops Blazers]] owner [[Tom Gaglardi]]'s bid was the only one submitted, clearing the way for him to enter the final stages of taking over ownership of the team. Gaglardi's purchase was approved by the NHL Board of Governors on November 18, 2011.<ref name="gagl4" /> A bankruptcy court judge approved the bid for an [[enterprise value]] of $240&nbsp;million. First lien creditors got about 75 cents on the dollar. The Stars lost $38&nbsp;million during their last fiscal year and $92&nbsp;million over the last three seasons.<ref name="gagl3">{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2011/11/22/dallas-stars-sale-to-tom-gaglardi-for-240-million-kills-creditors/ | title=Dallas Stars Sale to Tom Gaglardi for $240 Million Pummels Team's Creditors | website=[[Forbes]] | access-date=August 26, 2017 | archive-date=August 4, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804220943/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2011/11/22/dallas-stars-sale-to-tom-gaglardi-for-240-million-kills-creditors/ | url-status=live}}</ref>

As the new owner, Gaglardi's first move was bringing back former Stars President [[Jim Lites]] to once again take the reins as team president and CEO. To begin the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], the Stars once again jumped out to a fast start, going 23-17-1 through the first 41 games of the season. However, when the second half of the season began, the Stars slumped through the months of January and February, before getting hot again in late February. Throughout March, the Stars regained the lead of the Pacific Division. Beginning on March 26, 2012, the Stars embarked on a western road trip that saw them visit the [[Calgary Flames]], [[Edmonton Oilers]], [[Vancouver Canucks]] and [[San Jose Sharks]]. Going into the road trip, the Stars were in control of their own destiny, having to gain four points on the road trip to win their first Pacific Division title since the 2005–06 season. After the Stars lost 5–4 in Calgary to the Flames on March 26, the Stars beat the Oilers two nights later, 3–1. This would be their last win of the season, as the Stars were rolled over by the Canucks and Sharks the next two games. The Stars were eliminated from playoff contention on April 5 in a 2–0 loss to the playoff-bound [[Nashville Predators]]. Despite a winning record once again of 42–35–5 record, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year missing the 2012 playoffs by six points, setting a franchise record for consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/dallas-stars-5404.html |title=Dallas Stars Statistics and History |publisher=Internet Hockey Database |access-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108144503/http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/dallas-stars-5404.html |archive-date=November 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/minnesota-north-stars-6876.html|title=Minnesota North Stars Statistics and History|publisher=Internet Hockey Database|access-date=November 14, 2012|archive-date=October 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009200220/http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/minnesota-north-stars-6876.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Tyler Seguin - Dallas Stars.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tyler Seguin]] with the Stars in the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]]. The Stars acquired Seguin as a part of a seven-player trade with the [[Boston Bruins]] during the 2013 off-season.]]
On July 1, 2012, the team signed free agent veterans [[Jaromír Jágr|Jaromir Jagr]], [[Ray Whitney (ice hockey)|Ray Whitney]], and [[Aaron Rome]]. The next day, the Stars traded fan-favorite [[Steve Ott]] and [[Adam Pardy]] to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for center [[Derek Roy]]. When the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]] ended in January 2013 and a 48-game [[2012–13 NHL season|season]] began the Stars embarked on an up-and-down season, though staying in the race for one of the eight Western Conference playoff spots most of the shortened season. In mid-season, forward [[Michael Ryder]] was traded to his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, for [[Erik Cole]]. This shocked many as Ryder has become an almost overnight fan-favorite to Stars fans in his time with Dallas thanks to his stellar 35-goal campaign the previous season in 2011–12.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/r/rydermi01.html|title=Michael Ryder|website=hockey-reference.com|date=June 6, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023}}</ref> Before the trade deadline in early April, the Stars began to falter and team captain Brenden Morrow was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins; Roy was traded to the Vancouver Canucks; Jagr to the [[Boston Bruins]]; and [[Tomáš Vincour|Tomas Vincour]] to the Colorado Avalanche to close out the [[NHL trade deadline]], all in exchange for draft picks and prospects.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/many-questions-posed-important-answers-to-come-and-i-have-a-dream-a-mishmash-love-story/c-663658 | title=Many Questions Posed, Important Answers to Come, and I Have a Dream(A Mishmash Love Story) | access-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824153319/https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/many-questions-posed-important-answers-to-come-and-i-have-a-dream-a-mishmash-love-story/c-663658 | url-status=live}}</ref> After all of the trades at the trade deadline, the Stars' remaining young players pulled together to win six of their next eight games, thus propelling the Stars back into the 2013 playoff race. However, the Stars would drop their final five games, losing all of them while gaining only one point, eliminating them from playoff contention. The Stars had now missed the playoffs for the five straight seasons, continuing to set the all-time record for the franchise (dating back to the franchise's history in Minnesota) for most consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.

====2013–2020: Return to playoff contention and third appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals====
The day after their final regular season game of the 2012–13 season (a 3–0 loss to the [[Detroit Red Wings]]), the Stars fired general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. The next day, the Stars introduced their 11th all-time general manager, [[Jim Nill]], the former assistant general manager of the Red Wings. On May 14, 2013, the coaching staff was also fired,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-relieve-glen-gulutzan-and-paul-jerrard-of-coaching-duties/c-670677 | title=Dallas Stars relieve Glen Gulutzan and Paul Jerrard of coaching duties | access-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824153110/https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-relieve-glen-gulutzan-and-paul-jerrard-of-coaching-duties/c-670677 | url-status=live}}</ref> and on May 31, 2013, [[Scott White (ice hockey)|Scott White]] was re-introduced as the director of hockey operations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.defendingbigd.com/2013/5/31/4384508/dallas-stars-jim-nill-announces-scott-white-director-of-hockey-operations | title=Stars Announce Scott White Director of Hockey Ops | date=May 31, 2013 | access-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-date=March 29, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329063848/https://www.defendingbigd.com/2013/5/31/4384508/dallas-stars-jim-nill-announces-scott-white-director-of-hockey-operations | url-status=live}}</ref> The Stars hired [[Lindy Ruff]] as their new head coach on June 21, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dallas Stars hire Lindy Ruff as 22nd Head Coach in franchise history |url=http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=674757 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627000100/http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=674757 |archive-date=June 27, 2013 |date=June 21, 2013}}</ref> Nill made his first big trade as general manager when he acquired the former second overall draft pick from the [[2010 NHL entry draft]] in [[Tyler Seguin]], as well as [[Rich Peverley]] and [[Ryan Button]] from the [[Boston Bruins]] in exchange for [[Loui Eriksson]], [[Reilly Smith]], [[Matt Fraser]] and [[Joe Morrow]]. During the 2013 off-season, the league underwent a major realignment. Dallas' returned to a revamped [[Central Division (NHL)|Central Division]], bringing them a much more broadcast-friendly schedule for divisional away games. The Stars had long lobbied for this, as they were unhappy with the large number of games they had to play on the road in the [[Pacific Time Zone]] as a member of the Pacific Division since the 1998–99 season. Under new head coach [[Lindy Ruff]] and led by 84-point and 79-point campaigns from Seguin and newly minted captain [[Jamie Benn]] respectively,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DAL/2014.html|title=2013–14 Dallas Stars Roster and Statistics|website=hockey-reference.com|date=June 6, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023}}</ref> the Stars narrowly made it to the [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|2014 playoffs]], returning to the Playoffs for the first time since 2008 with a successful 40–31–11 record, finishing with 91 points, fifth in the Central Division and eighth in the Western Conference during the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]]. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the top-seeded [[Anaheim Ducks]] in six games with a 5–4 overtime loss in game 6.

[[File:Jamie Benn 1.jpg|thumb|Leading the league in points, Stars' captain Jamie Benn pictured in October 2014. He won the [[Art Ross Trophy]] for the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]]. Benn was also named captain of the Stars prior to the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]].]]
Nill made another big trade as general manager when he acquired [[Jason Spezza]] and [[Ludwig Karlsson]] from the [[Ottawa Senators]] in exchange for [[Alex Chiasson]], [[Nick Paul]], Alex Guptill and a second-round pick in the [[2015 NHL entry draft]]. He also signed Senators player [[Aleš Hemský|Ales Hemsky]] as a free agent on a three-year, $12&nbsp;million contract on July 1, 2014. Despite these moves and a 92-point 41–31–10 campaign, the Stars finished with the second-lowest goaltender save percentage in the league during the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]], which resulted in them failing to qualify for the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs|2015 playoffs]] due to their sixth-place finish in the Central Division and being seven points behind of the last playoff spot. The lone bright spot of the 2014–15 season was captain Jamie Benn winning the [[Art Ross Trophy]]. On April 11, 2015, Benn scored four points in the Stars' last regular season game to finish with 87 points on the season and win the Art Ross Trophy. His final point, a secondary assist with 8.5 seconds left in regulation in the game, allowed him to overtake [[New York Islanders]] centre and captain [[John Tavares]] for the award by one point.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/jamie-benn-records-assist-with-9-seconds-to-play-to-win-art-ross-trophy/|title=Jamie Benn records assist with 9 seconds to play to win Art Ross Trophy|access-date=March 22, 2017|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323054723/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/jamie-benn-records-assist-with-9-seconds-to-play-to-win-art-ross-trophy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2015 off-season the Stars made a couple additions to the team, first trading with the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] for three-time Stanley Cup champion [[Patrick Sharp]] as well as defenseman [[Stephen Johns (ice hockey)|Stephen Johns]] in exchange for [[Trevor Daley]] and [[Ryan Garbutt]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/762613/blackhawks-trade-patrick-sharp-dallas-stars|title = Blackhawks trade Patrick Sharp to Dallas Stars|last = Lazerus|first = Mark|date = July 10, 2015|work = Chicago Sun Times|access-date = July 10, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150712011418/http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/762613/blackhawks-trade-patrick-sharp-dallas-stars|archive-date = July 12, 2015}}</ref> The Stars also signed via free agency Sharp's teammate from the Blackhawks [[Johnny Oduya]] to a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=774832 | title = Dallas Stars sign defenseman Johnny Oduya to a two-year contract | publisher = Dallas Stars | date = July 15, 2015 | access-date = July 15, 2015}}</ref> In the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]], the Stars won their first Central Division title since 1998 and posted the best regular season record in the Western Conference with a 50–23–9 record good enough for 109 points and the runner up to the [[Presidents' Trophy]] as the regular season champions, only behind the [[Washington Capitals]]. In the first round of the 2016 playoffs, they defeated the [[Minnesota Wild]] in six games. In the second round, they faced the [[St. Louis Blues]] in the playoffs for the first time since 2001, but lost the series in seven games.

The Stars finished with a 34–37–11 record in an injury-plagued [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17 season]], missing the playoffs for the seventh time in the past nine seasons, missing the 2017 playoffs by 15 points. As a result, the team announced that head coach Lindy Ruff's contract would not be renewed.

In the 2017 off-season the Stars lost goaltender [[Antti Niemi (ice hockey)|Antti Niemi]] and forward Patrick Sharp in free agency.

[[Ken Hitchcock]] returned as head coach for the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], however once again the Stars missed the playoffs, this time narrowly missing having only missed by just three points in the standings after posting a winning record of 42–32–8 in the season.

Hitchcock retired after the season and was succeeded at the head coaching spot by [[Jim Montgomery (ice hockey)|Jim Montgomery]]. Montgomery's first season as the Stars coach saw the team finish with a 43–32–7 record, good enough to return to the [[2019 NHL playoffs|playoffs]] for the first time since 2016 as the first wild card team and seventh seed in the Western Conference. The Stars defeated the Central Division-champion and second-seeded Nashville Predators in a six-game series the first round, but fell to the sixth-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in seven games, losing game 7 on the road in double-overtime by a score of 2–1 despite a 52-save performance by starting goaltender [[Ben Bishop]].

Going into the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]], the Stars added veteran forwards [[Joe Pavelski]] from the San Jose Sharks and [[Corey Perry]] of the Anaheim Ducks in free agency on July 1, 2019. To start the 2019–20 season, the Stars sputtered to a 1–7–1 start through their first nine games. However the Stars soon rallied and rattled off a 14–1–1 record between October 19 and November 25, which catapulted the Stars to an eventual season record of 37–24–8 through 69 games, as the regular season was suspended in March 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Barely two full months into his second season as Stars head coach, on December 10, the Stars fired head coach Jim Montgomery for "unprofessional conduct inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of the Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League."<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Montgomery dismissed as head coach of Stars |url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/jim-montgomery-dismissed-as-head-coach-of-dallas-stars/c-312388186 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 11, 2019 |date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> General manager Jim Nill said the situation had come to light the previous weekend, and involved "a material act of unprofessionalism" egregious enough to demand Montgomery's immediate firing. He did not offer specifics "out of respect for everyone involved," only saying that it did not involve abuse of players or criminal conduct.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeFranks |first1=Matthew |title=Dallas Stars fire coach Jim Montgomery 'due to unprofessional conduct' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2019/12/10/dallas-stars-fire-coach-jim-montgomery-due-to-unprofessional-conduct/ |website=Dallas News |access-date=December 11, 2019 |date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> [[Rick Bowness]], who joined the team as an assistant coach a month after Montgomery's hiring in May 2018, was named interim coach, while [[Derek Laxdal]] (who was the head coach of the Stars' AHL affiliate [[Texas Stars]] at the time) would be promoted to the assistant coaching position that was vacated by Bowness.<ref name="cbc2019">{{cite web |title=Dallas Stars fire head coach Jim Montgomery for 'unprofessional conduct' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/jim-montgomery-fired-dallas-stars-nhl-1.5390679 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=December 11, 2019}}</ref> On January 1, 2020, the Stars hosted the Nashville Predators in the [[2020 NHL Winter Classic|2020 Winter Classic]] at the [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]] in a rematch of the previous seasons' first-round playoff series, where the Stars prevailed with a 4–2 victory. This was the first NHL outdoor game for both teams<ref name="ESPN_Kaplan">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25852611/nashville-predators-face-dallas-stars-2020-winter-classic|title=Nashville Predators to face Dallas Stars in 2020 Winter Classic|first=Emily|last=Kaplan|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=January 25, 2019 |access-date= January 25, 2019}}</ref> and with a sold-out crowd of 85,630 at the Cotton Bowl, it was the second-most attended game in NHL history.<ref name="SN_Recap">{{cite news | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stars-rally-beat-predators-winter-classic-cotton-bowl/|title=Stars rally to beat Predators in Winter Classic at Cotton Bowl|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Sportsnet|date=January 1, 2020}}</ref> The NHL returned from the March 2020 abrupt regular season stoppage three weeks before completion due to the COVID-19 pandemic a little under five months later in August 2020, where the Stars advanced to the [[2020 NHL playoffs|playoffs]]. By virtue of having one of the top four highest point percentages in the Western Conference at the time the season was suspended, the Stars played in a [[round-robin tournament]] against three of the other top four teams in the Western Conference ([[Vegas Golden Knights]], [[Colorado Avalanche]], and St. Louis Blues) in order to determine the team's seed for the playoffs;<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanley Cup Qualifiers schedule |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-round-robin-best-of-5-series-dates-times/c-317365910 |website=NHL.com |access-date=July 10, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> Dallas was ultimately seeded as the no. 3 seed in the Western Conference,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sadowski |first1=Rick |title=Stars defeat Blues in round-robin, decide No. 3 seed in West |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-st-louis-blues-game-recap/c-317515640 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> entering them into a first-round series against the [[Calgary Flames]]. The Stars defeated the Flames in six games in the first round, and then defeated the Colorado Avalanche in a seven-game series that ended with a [[Joel Kiviranta]] hat-trick performance in game 7, which included his series-winning overtime goal. The Stars would defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the conference finals to advance to the [[2020 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] for the first time since [[2000 Stanley Cup Finals|2000]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2020/09/14/stars-defeat-golden-knights-in-ot-advance-to-stanley-cup-final-for-first-time-in-20-years/|title=Stars defeat Golden Knights in OT, advance to Stanley Cup Final for first time in 20 years|last=DeFranks|first=Matthews|work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|date=September 15, 2020|access-date=September 15, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915154235/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2020/09/14/stars-defeat-golden-knights-in-ot-advance-to-stanley-cup-final-for-first-time-in-20-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> as the Stars would end a second consecutive series of the playoffs with a series-winning overtime goal when [[Denis Gurianov]] scored 3:36 into the first overtime period of game 5, winning the game 3–2 for the Stars. The Stars would go on to face the Eastern Conference champion [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Stars won game 1 of the series by a 4–1 score, but would eventually fall to the Lightning in six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-dallas-stars-game-6-recap/c-319086198|title=Lightning win Stanley Cup, defeat Stars in Game 6 of Final|last=Rosen|first=Dan|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=September 28, 2020|website=NHL.com|access-date=September 28, 2020}}</ref>

====2020–present: Back-to-back runs to the Western Conference finals====
A month after the Stars' run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, interim head coach [[Rick Bowness]] was named full-time head coach on October 29, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stars name Rick Bowness as head coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-name-rick-bowness-as-head-coach/c-319541282 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 29, 2020 |date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> In the [[2020–21 NHL season|following season]], an injury-plagued campaign for the team (most notably with veteran forwards [[Tyler Seguin]] and [[Alexander Radulov]] along with veteran goaltender [[Ben Bishop]]) caused the Stars to finish the COVID-shortened 56-game schedule with a 23–19–14 record, finishing fifth in the Central Division with 60 points and missing the playoffs by four points marking the first time since 2018 where the team failed to qualify for a playoff spot.

The Stars would rebound in the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]] with a 98-point 46–30–6 record, good enough for the first wild-card spot and seventh seed in the Western Conference [[2022 NHL playoffs|playoffs]] where they played the Pacific Division-champion and second-seeded [[Calgary Flames]] in the first round. They were defeated by the Flames in seven games, losing 3–2 in overtime of game 7 in Calgary. In game 7 the Stars took the game to overtime despite the Flames making twice as many shots and attempts as the Stars, with the Stars' young starting netminder [[Jake Oettinger]] recording 64 saves, the second-highest in playoff history behind only [[Kelly Hrudey]]'s 73 during the 1987 [[Easter Epic]].<ref name=SN220516>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Oettinger following Game 7 loss: 'I feel like I'm just scratching the surface'|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oettinger-following-game-7-loss-i-feel-like-im-just-scratching-the-surface/ |last1=Morassutti |first1=David |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=[[Sportsnet]]}}</ref> The Stars were eliminated when Flames forward [[Johnny Gaudreau]] finally scored 15:09 into the first overtime period to end the game 3–2. After the team's playoff elimination, head coach Rick Bowness announced that he would be resigning from his coaching duties with the team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2022 |title=Stars' Bowness steps down after three seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33952623/dallas-stars-rick-bowness-stepping-three-seasons-head-coach |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528071031/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33952623/dallas-stars-rick-bowness-stepping-three-seasons-head-coach |url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 21, 2022, the Stars hired [[Peter DeBoer]] to replace Bowness as their head coach, the 10th in franchise history since the team moved to Dallas in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-name-pete-deboer-as-head-coach/c-334682302|title=Stars name Pete DeBoer as head coach|website=NHL.com|date=June 21, 2022|access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref> In the 2022 off-season the Stars added in free agency both forward [[Mason Marchment]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-sign-forward-mason-marchment-to-four-year-contract/c-334966568|title=Stars sign forward Mason Marchment to four-year contract|website=NHL.com|publisher=Dallas Stars|date=June 7, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> and defenseman [[Colin Miller (ice hockey, born 1992)|Colin Miller]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-sign-defenseman-colin-miller-to-two-year-contract/c-334968100|title=Stars sign defenseman Colin Miller to two-year contract|website=NHL.com|publisher=Dallas Stars|date=June 7, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> however lost veteran defenseman [[John Klingberg]] to the [[Anaheim Ducks]] via free agency after eight seasons with the Stars.<ref>{{cite web|title=Klingberg signs one-year contract with Ducks|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/john-klingberg-one-year-contract-with-ducks/c-334786480?tid=281072352|website=NHL.com|accessdate=June 7, 2023|date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Led by their trio of veteran forwards Tyler Seguin, [[Joe Pavelski]], and captain [[Jamie Benn]], as well as the emergence of a young core of players including netminder Jake Oettinger, forwards [[Jason Robertson (ice hockey)|Jason Robertson]], [[Roope Hintz]], and [[Wyatt Johnston]], and defenseman [[Miro Heiskanen]], the Stars completed their first season under Peter DeBoer with a 108-point 47–21–14 regular season record, just barely being beat out by the [[Colorado Avalanche]] by one point for the 2022–23 Central Division title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DAL/2023.html|title=2022-23 Dallas Stars Roster and Statistics|website=hockey-reference.com|date=June 7, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> In only his third full season with the Stars and fourth season altogether, Jason Robertson set a new Dallas Stars record for total points in a season with 109 points, surpassing the previous record of 93 points set by [[Mike Modano]] in the Stars' first season in Dallas back in 1993–94. Robertson accomplished this feat in a game against the [[Arizona Coyotes]] on March 31, 2023, when he scored a goal as part of a Stars 5–2 win over the Coyotes, his goal was his record-breaking 94th point of the season and 100th goal of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jason-robertson-poses-with-mike-modano-after-breaking-dallas-stars-record/c-342985060|title=Robertson breaks Modano's record, poses with Hockey Hall of Famer|website=NHL.com|date=April 1, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Captain Jamie Benn also had a resurgent season, finishing with a 78-point season that included 33 goals and 45 assists recorded in all 82 contests played for a season nicknamed by both Stars fans and pundits alike as the "Bennaissance"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmagazine.com/sports/2023/02/dallas-stars-pete-deboer-jamie-benn/|title=Pete DeBoer Is Doing All the Little Things in the Stars' Turnaround|website=DMagazine.com|date=February 8, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> for his first 75-plus point season since [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bennja01.html|title=Jamie Benn|website=hockey-reference.com|date=June 7, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Along with trade deadline acquisitions [[Max Domi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/max-domi-traded-to-stars-by-blackhawks/c-341762918|title=Domi traded to Stars by Blackhawks|website=NHL.com|date=March 3, 2022|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> and [[Evgenii Dadonov]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-acquire-evgenii-dadonov-from-montreal-canadiens-in-exchange-for-denis-gurianov/c-341536196|title=Dadonov traded to Stars by Canadiens|website=NHL.com|date=February 26, 2022|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> the Stars entered the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs|2023 playoffs]] as the number two seed in the Central Division, matching them up in a first round series against the Minnesota Wild for their first playoff series versus one another since 2016. The Stars opened the playoffs at home with a double-overtime loss in game 1, as nearly midway through regulation of game 1 Joe Pavelski was knocked out with a concussion for the remainder of the first round series on a hit by Wild defenseman [[Matt Dumba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/stars-pavelski-leaves-game-following-controversial-hit-from-wilds-dumba/|title=Stars uncertain about Pavelski after controversial hit from Wild's Dumba|website=Sportsnet.ca|date=April 17, 2022|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> The Stars responded with a win in game 2 fueled by a Roope Hintz hat-trick performance,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-dallas-stars-game-2-recap/c-343602352|title=Hintz hat trick helps Stars defeat Wild in Game 2, even Western 1st Round|website=NHL.com|date=April 20, 2022|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> winning four of the next five games in the series after game 1 to eliminate the Wild in six games. The Stars then faced the [[Seattle Kraken]] in the second round of the playoffs. The Kraken, in only their second season of existence, had upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round in seven games. Pavelski returned to the Stars for game 1 of the series, scoring all four of the Stars' goals in the game, however the Stars lost by a score of 5–4 in overtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37191823/back-5-game-absence-stars-pavelski-scores-4-game-1|title=Stars' Pavelski returns, scores four in 'epic' Game 1 effort|website=ESPN.com|date=May 3, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> The Stars would go on to win the series, winning game 7 at home by a score of 2–1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/seattle-kraken-dallas-stars-game-7-recap/c-344102996|title=Stars edge Kraken in Game 7, advance to Western Conference Final|website=NHL.com|date=May 15, 2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> sending the Stars to the conference finals and setting up a rematch of the 2020 conference finals versus the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars would immediately go down 3–0 in the series versus Vegas after dropping the first two games in overtime on the road and a 4–0 loss at home in game 3. In game 3 captain Jamie Benn was suspended for two games for an illegal cross-check on Vegas captain [[Mark Stone]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Benn of Stars suspended 2 games for actions in Game 3 of West Final |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-jamie-benn-suspended-for-cross-checking-vegas-mark-stone/c-344568578 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 14, 2023 |date=May 24, 2023}}</ref> Though the Stars would win games 4 and 5 without Benn and extend the series, the eventual Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights would ultimately defeat the Stars in six games with a 6–0 win in game 6.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baird |first1=Taylor |title=Golden Knights shut out Stars in Game 6, advance to Stanley Cup Final |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/vegas-golden-knights-dallas-stars-game-6-recap/c-344416506 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 16, 2023 |date=May 29, 2023}}</ref>

The [[2023–24 NHL season|next season]] saw the Stars clinch their fourth Central Division title and finished as the top seed in the Western Conference and placed second in the League overall as the runner up for the [[Presidents' Trophy]], only behind the [[New York Rangers]]. They defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion and eighth-seeded Vegas Golden Knights in seven games in the first round of the [[2024 Stanley Cup playoffs|2024 playoffs]], then defeated the Colorado Avalanche in six games in the second round, and then lost to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in six games in the conference finals.